1|Page
2026 NHA CCMA MEDICAL ASSISTANT
CERTIFICATION TEST A,B AND C ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS ALREADY A GRADED WITH
EXPERT FEEDBACK | NEW AND
REVISED
1. A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a routine physical exam.
Which action best demonstrates proper patient-centered care?
A. Completing documentation before greeting the patient
B. Explaining each step of the procedure before performing it
C. Asking only closed-ended questions
D. Maintaining a standing position throughout the visit
Explaining procedures promotes patient understanding, reduces
anxiety, and reflects professional communication standards.
2. Which government regulation primarily protects the privacy and
security of patient health information?
A. OSHA
B. CLIA
C. HIPAA
D. CMS
,2|Page
HIPAA establishes national standards for safeguarding protected
health information (PHI).
3. A patient suddenly becomes unresponsive in the waiting area. What is
the medical assistant’s FIRST action?
A. Notify the provider
B. Obtain emergency contact information
C. Retrieve the AED
D. Assess responsiveness and call for help
Initial assessment and activation of emergency response are priorities
in medical emergencies.
4. Which vital sign measurement is most affected by patient positioning?
A. Temperature
B. Pulse
C. Blood pressure
D. Respirations
Blood pressure readings vary significantly with arm and body position.
5. A provider orders a fasting blood glucose test. Which instruction
should the medical assistant give the patient?
A. Avoid exercise for 24 hours
B. Drink only water for 4 hours
C. Do not eat or drink anything except water for 8–12 hours
D. Eat a high-protein meal before testing
Fasting is required to ensure accurate glucose measurement.
6. When performing hand hygiene, how long should hands be scrubbed
with soap and water?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. At least 20 seconds
D. Until visibly dry
CDC guidelines require a minimum of 20 seconds for effective hand
hygiene.
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7. Which bloodborne pathogen has the highest risk of transmission
following a needlestick injury?
A. HIV
B. HBV
C. HCV
D. Influenza
Hepatitis B has the highest transmission rate via percutaneous
exposure.
8. A medical assistant is verifying a medication order. Which component
is MOST critical to confirm?
A. Manufacturer
B. Cost
C. Patient identity
D. Storage requirements
Correct patient identification is essential to prevent medication errors.
9. Which route of medication administration provides the fastest
systemic absorption?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
IV administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream.
10. A patient expresses concern about confidentiality. Which response is
most appropriate?
A. “All staff have access to your records.”
B. “Your insurance company controls your information.”
C. “Your information is protected and shared only as permitted by
law.”
D. “We cannot guarantee privacy.”
This response accurately reflects HIPAA protections and reassures the
patient.
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11. Which position is best for a patient experiencing shortness of breath?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Trendelenburg
D. High Fowler’s
High Fowler’s position maximizes lung expansion and improves
breathing.
12. When preparing a sterile field, which action maintains sterility?
A. Turning your back briefly
B. Reaching over the sterile field
C. Keeping the field above waist level
D. Opening packages away from the field
Sterile fields must remain visible and above waist level to prevent
contamination.
13. Which laboratory test evaluates long-term blood glucose control?
A. Fasting blood glucose
B. Random blood glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Oral glucose tolerance test
Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2–3
months.
14. A patient reports dizziness when standing from a seated position.
This finding is most consistent with:
A. Hypertension
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoxia
Orthostatic hypotension occurs due to a drop in blood pressure upon
standing.
15. Which task is within the scope of practice of a medical assistant?
A. Diagnosing a medical condition
B. Prescribing medication
2026 NHA CCMA MEDICAL ASSISTANT
CERTIFICATION TEST A,B AND C ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS ALREADY A GRADED WITH
EXPERT FEEDBACK | NEW AND
REVISED
1. A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a routine physical exam.
Which action best demonstrates proper patient-centered care?
A. Completing documentation before greeting the patient
B. Explaining each step of the procedure before performing it
C. Asking only closed-ended questions
D. Maintaining a standing position throughout the visit
Explaining procedures promotes patient understanding, reduces
anxiety, and reflects professional communication standards.
2. Which government regulation primarily protects the privacy and
security of patient health information?
A. OSHA
B. CLIA
C. HIPAA
D. CMS
,2|Page
HIPAA establishes national standards for safeguarding protected
health information (PHI).
3. A patient suddenly becomes unresponsive in the waiting area. What is
the medical assistant’s FIRST action?
A. Notify the provider
B. Obtain emergency contact information
C. Retrieve the AED
D. Assess responsiveness and call for help
Initial assessment and activation of emergency response are priorities
in medical emergencies.
4. Which vital sign measurement is most affected by patient positioning?
A. Temperature
B. Pulse
C. Blood pressure
D. Respirations
Blood pressure readings vary significantly with arm and body position.
5. A provider orders a fasting blood glucose test. Which instruction
should the medical assistant give the patient?
A. Avoid exercise for 24 hours
B. Drink only water for 4 hours
C. Do not eat or drink anything except water for 8–12 hours
D. Eat a high-protein meal before testing
Fasting is required to ensure accurate glucose measurement.
6. When performing hand hygiene, how long should hands be scrubbed
with soap and water?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. At least 20 seconds
D. Until visibly dry
CDC guidelines require a minimum of 20 seconds for effective hand
hygiene.
,3|Page
7. Which bloodborne pathogen has the highest risk of transmission
following a needlestick injury?
A. HIV
B. HBV
C. HCV
D. Influenza
Hepatitis B has the highest transmission rate via percutaneous
exposure.
8. A medical assistant is verifying a medication order. Which component
is MOST critical to confirm?
A. Manufacturer
B. Cost
C. Patient identity
D. Storage requirements
Correct patient identification is essential to prevent medication errors.
9. Which route of medication administration provides the fastest
systemic absorption?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
IV administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream.
10. A patient expresses concern about confidentiality. Which response is
most appropriate?
A. “All staff have access to your records.”
B. “Your insurance company controls your information.”
C. “Your information is protected and shared only as permitted by
law.”
D. “We cannot guarantee privacy.”
This response accurately reflects HIPAA protections and reassures the
patient.
, 4|Page
11. Which position is best for a patient experiencing shortness of breath?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Trendelenburg
D. High Fowler’s
High Fowler’s position maximizes lung expansion and improves
breathing.
12. When preparing a sterile field, which action maintains sterility?
A. Turning your back briefly
B. Reaching over the sterile field
C. Keeping the field above waist level
D. Opening packages away from the field
Sterile fields must remain visible and above waist level to prevent
contamination.
13. Which laboratory test evaluates long-term blood glucose control?
A. Fasting blood glucose
B. Random blood glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Oral glucose tolerance test
Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2–3
months.
14. A patient reports dizziness when standing from a seated position.
This finding is most consistent with:
A. Hypertension
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoxia
Orthostatic hypotension occurs due to a drop in blood pressure upon
standing.
15. Which task is within the scope of practice of a medical assistant?
A. Diagnosing a medical condition
B. Prescribing medication
